Man in court charged with terrorist activities

A 43-year-old British man has appeared in court accused of playing a leadership role in the Somali militant Islamist group al-Shabab - an organisation that has been linked to both al-Qaeda and the Islamic State group.

Jermaine Grant is charged with directing the activities of al-Shabab more than 16 years ago in the late 2000s.

The allegation is that he became a platoon commander.

Al-Shabab was labelled a "persistent threat" in Somalia's capital, Mogadishu, which carries out "high profile attacks that challenge government authority", according to a 2025 assessment by the UK Government.

It has targeted international aid workers, journalists, business people and non-government organisations who have opposed or resisted it.

Grant, who was born in London, also faces three charges of attending an al-Shabab commando training camp in Kismayu in southern Somalia, and two charges of possessing an AK47 assault rifle for terrorist purposes during a battle at Mogadishu Stadium and a battle in Karan in the north of the city.

All the alleged offences are said to have taken place between 31 December 2007 and 1 January 2010 when al-Shabab came to prominence, having been joined by a series of infamous fighters including the British extremist Samantha Lewthwaite, sometimes called the White Widow.

Al-Shabab later said it carried out the 2013 Westgate mall attack in the Kenyan capital Nairobi in which 67 people died.

Cdr Kris Wright, of Counter Terrorism Policing London, said the case showed the force "will always pursue anyone suspected of being involved in terrorist activity, no matter where in the world or how long ago it is alleged to have taken place".

Frank Ferguson, from the CPS's counter terrorism division, said his team had worked to establish there was "sufficient evidence to bring this case to court and that it is in the public interest to pursue criminal proceedings".

The case was adjourned for seven days to get the Attorney General's permission to prosecute. Grant's next court appearance will be at Westminster Magistrates Court on 16 April.

He was remanded in custody and was not asked to give an indication of plea.

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